Locomotive stoker



April 12, 1932. N. M. LOWER 51,853,692

'LOCOMO'IIVE ST OKER Original Filed Feb. 20, 1926 2 Sheets-Shet 1rllflllllll'f'llll/I W\ April 12, 1932. N. M. LOWER LOCOMOTIVE STOKER '2Sheets-Sheet ,Criginal Filed Feb. 20, 1926 1 [no/wear:

Patented Apr. 12, 1932 i 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NATHAN M. LCWER,OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAIiTD, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNIVIIEIIT'J?S,

TO THE STANDARD STOKER COMPANY INC., 01 NEW YORK, N.

DELAWARE Y., A CORPORATION OF LOCOMOTIVE .STOKEB.

Application filed February 20, 1926, Serial No. 89,652. Renewed November24, 1981.

This invention relates to stokers for locomotives, and has for one ofits objects the provision of new and improved means for deliveringincrements of fuel to the fuel distributing mechanism.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improvedstoker constructionin wh1ch the conveyor, the elevator tion of the fueltrough,

mechanism.

and the distributing mechanism operate in timed relation to each other.

A further 'object of the. invention is the new and improved mechanismfor delivering fuel intermittently-to the zone of action of thedistributing mechanism.

Other and further objects and advantages will appear from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in whichFig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a locomotive showing theinvention in posiprovision of tion thereon, with parts in section andparts broken away a Fig. 2 is a section on broken line 22 of Fig. 1; and

Fig, 3 is a detail plan view of the rear porshowing the clutch Onthedrawings the reference character 10 designates the firebox, 11 thegrates thereof and 12 the back approved construction. The floor of thecab is shown at 1'3 and the deck of the tender at 14.

The back head 12 is provided with an open ing 15 through which coal isprojected into the firebox by the stoker mechanism.

Since the details of the locomotive and tender form no part of thepresent invention,

the formof a the same is not illustrated and will not be furtherdescribed.

The stoker comprises a housing 16 which is rigidly secure'dto andcarried by the locomotive. The rear part of the housing is arranged toform theelevator casing 17 which is provided with rearward extension 18above which is mounted a fuel distributor plate 190, the rear portion ofwhich may take fuel receptacle 19. The fuel receptacle 19 is providedwith an opening 20 in its bottom wall through Which'the fuel isdeliveredby the elevator or plunger'21.

the usual manner.

head of a locomotive of any tion of which is in the form of atrough 23located beneath the deck 14 of the tender for receiving coal from thesame by gravity in The conduit 22 extends forwardly and upwardly, andits upper end is connected to the extension 18 of thecasing 17 and thefuel receptacle 19 by the universal joint as shown at 24. A suitableconveyor screw 25 isrotatably-mounted in the conduit 22 and conformsthereto. When, as shown,

'the conduit is curved or bent the conveyor screw is made sectional, thesections bein connected together by universal joints, as siown at 240. vI

Since the spacebetween the upper end of the conduit 22 and the bottom ofthe receptacle 19 is limited, it is desirable that means he provided forrendering the conveyor in operative except when the plunger 21 is inposition to receive its load. Any suitable mechanism maybe provided forthis purpose. Preferably means are provided for operating the screw 25intermittently. The screw 25 is operated from the motor 26 through theworm 27 ,on the engine or power shaft 28, the worm Wheel 29, shaft 30,gears 31 and 32, the latter of which is loosely'mounted on theprojecting end portion 33 of the screw shaft. Upon this shaft is mounteda clutch 34, comprising themovable clutch member 34a keyed on the shaftcarried by the loosely mounted gear 32. The

Patent No. 1,809,903. As shown, this 33 and the clutch member 347)movable clutch member 34ais controlled by a lever 35, pivoted at '36 ona fixed support and having a pin 37 engaging a cam roove 38 formed in acollar 70. mounted onrt e'end of the shaft 30. This groove is soshaped'that it swings the lever to engage and disengage the clutchmembers 34a and 34b at each rotation of the shaft 3'0. The configurationgiven the groover38 will determme'the'period of action and rest of thescrew, both as to duration and with relation to the movement of theother parts of the mechanism driven by the motor 26. I

It is desirable that means be provided for operating the plunger orelevator 21 rapidly during the time that the conveyor screw 25 is idleand for moving the same slowly while said screw is operating to supplyfuel to the elevator casing. As shown, elliptic gears are employed forthis purpose. The gears are operated'from the engine shaft 28 by meansof a worm 39, see Fig. 2, which engages a worm wheel 40 mounted on theshaft 41. A gear 42 rigidly connected to the shaft 41 is ada ted to meshwith the gear 43 keyed to a sha 44 on which is mounted an elliptic gear45. The elliptic gear 45 meshes with the corresponding elliptic gear 46keyed to the crankshaft 47 on which is rigidly secured the crank 48, seeFig. 1, which in turn is connected to the plunger 21 by means of thelink 49.

The parts are so constructed and arranged that when the plunger orelevator 21 has descended to the dotted line position shown at 50 theconveyor screw 25 will begin to operate and will continue to operateuntil the plunger 21 is elevated to the dotted line position 51 as shownin Fig. 1.

The elliptic gears 45, 46 may be so shaped as to give anv desiredvariation in the rate of movement of the plunger, and may be sopositioned radially upon their shafts as to pro duce. such variations inany desired portion of the plunger stroke.

They are desirably shaped and positioned as shown, securing markedvariation in the speed of the plunger, and causing it to move slowlyduring approximately the lower half of its cycle and rapidly during theupper half thereof.

Suitable means are provided for projecting the coal into the firebox intimed relation with the operation of the plunger 21. As shown,oscillating vanes 52 and 53 are employed for this purpose, and arearranged to be operated alternately, one of the vanes commencing itsforward movement as the plunger approaches the upper limit of itsstroke.

y appropriate means may be employed for operating the vanes. As shown, acam member 54- provided with a cam groove 55 is rigidly mounted on theshaft 41. Lever members 56' and .57 pivotally mounted as'at 58 and 59areprovided at their lower ends with cam engaging members or projections 60and 61 which are adaptedto engage the cam groove 55 for oscillating thelever'members 56 and 57. The upper ends of the levers 56 and 57 arerovided with segmental gears 62 and 63 w ich engage gears 64 and mountedon the shafts 66 and 67 to whi thevanes 52 and 53 are rigidly secured.

' The cam 38 is configured to cause the screw to be driven while thep1un ger21 is passing through the lower portion of its cycle and to restduring the upper portion of such cycle, thus causing an advance of thefuel only when the plunger is in position to receive a load, insuring anadequate load and preventing congestion while the elevator is making itsdelivery.

I claim as'my invention 1. In a locomotive stoker, a fuel conveyor, a,reciprocating elevator, means for reciprocating said elevator, means foroperating said conveyor for delivering fuel to said elevator, and meansfor rendering said last named means inoperativg-during the initialreturn Or lowering movement of said elevator.

2. In a locomotive Stoker, a pair of distributor vanes, means foroperating the same,

means including a conveyor and continuous- 3. In combination, alocomotive firebox, an

opening in one .wall thereof, a distributor plate extending into saidopening, an elevator-casing beneath said plate, a fuel conveyor, meansfor operating said'conveyor for delivering fuel to saidelevator casing,an ele-. Vator for delivering the'fuel from said casing onto said plate,oscillating vanes for moving the fuel on said plate into said fireboxand means for rendering said conveyor operating means inoperative duringthe time the fuel is being projected into said firebox. v

4. In a locomotive st'oker, a fuel conveyor, a distributor plate, anelevator for receiving fuel from said conveyor and delivering the sameto said plate,-a continuously operating powershaft, means forautomatically intertermittently operating said conveyor from said shaft,and means for operating said elevator at a variable speed in timedrelation to the operation of said conveyor, said means Causing saidelevator to "move at its minimum speed during operation of said conveyorand to move at its maximum speed when said conveyor is at rest. 0

'5. In a. locomotive stoker, adistributor -member, an elevator fordelivering fuel to said distributor member, a fuel conveyor,

means for driving saidconveyorintermibtently for delivering fuelintermittently to, said elevator, and means foroperating said elevatorat a variable speed, said last named means causing said elevator to moveat its maximum speed a .a time when said conveyor is not delivering -tereto.

6. In a locomotive stoker, a fuel conveyor,

a reciprocating elevator, means for operat-- ing said conveyor fordelivering fuel mter- Gil mittently to said elevator, and means forreciprocating said elevator at a greater average rate of speed whenmoving in one direchead communicating with ing, a unitary angulartransfer condu1textion than when moving in the opposite direction.

7. In a locomotive stoker, a fuel conveyor, an elevator, means foroperating said conveyor for delivering said elevator, means foroperating said elevator at a variable speed, and means for renderingsaid conveyor operating means 1noperative while said elevator is at oneextreme limit of its movement.

8. In a locomotive stoker, means for intermittently ejecting fuel, meansfor operating the same, means including a fuel conveyor and acontinuously operated elevator receiving fuel from said conveyorfordelivering it into the'zone of action of said ejecting 'means forautomatically intermittently rendriving means inoperdering said conveyorflow of fuel from said ative for stopping the conveyor into said casingward movement and the initial downward movement of said plunger.

10. In a locomotive provided with a the box having a backhead with afiring opening therethrough and a tender having a floor, a fuelconveying system comprising a fuel discharge casing rigidly mounted onsaid backsaid firing opentending in a general forward and upwarddirection from a point below said tender floor to said fuel dischargecasing and'flexibly connected to said discharge casing, said an gulartransfer conduit having a posterior and an anterior bend, the portion ofsaid conduit rearward of said posterior bendbeing disposed in ahorizontal plane, the portion of said conduit between said posterior andsaid anterior bend inclined forwardly from said horizontal portion, at aslight angle from the horizontal, the portion of said conduit forward ofsaid anterior bend inclined forwardlyfrom said second named portion, atagreater angle from the horizontal, a fuel conveyor screw within saidtransfer conduit composed of sections flexibly connected togetheradjacent said porterior and anterior bends, means for rotating saidscrew and means associatedewith said discharge casing for projectingfuel over the firebed in the firebox, the; fuel entering'the fireboxthrough the firing opening. 3

11. In a locomotive fuel intermittently to forward portion sloping.upwar anelevator cas during the fina'l upfirebox, a fuel conveyor atitsforward end terminating'on the provided with a as box having a backheadwith a firing openingtherethrough and a tender having a cab deck forsaid locomotive rearward of the.

firebox, a fuel conveyor transferring fuel from the tender to thelocomotive comprising a transfer conduit extending in a general forwardand upward direction from apoint ber low said tender floor upwardlythrough the cab deck, to a point on the locomotive above such deck, saidconduit comprising a substantially horizontal rearward portion disposedbeneath the tender floor and at its forward end terminating at the frontend of the tender, a slightly inclined intermediate portion extendingupwardly and forwardly from the forward end of said rearward portion andat its forward end terminating on the locomotive beneath said deck, andan inclined dly and forwardly through said deck towards the rear Wall ofthe firebox from the forward end of the intermediate portion at agreater angle from the horizontal, said conduit portions belng in end toend. relation, a sectional screw in said transfer conduit comprising ascrew section in each of said conduit portions,.said screw sectionsbeing jointed at the juncture of the intermediate conduit portion withthe rear and forward conduit portions, .ineans to j for rotating saidscrew and means disposed at the forward end of the fuel conveyorarranged to receive the fuel therefrom and project it over the firebedin the firebox, the fuel entering the firebox through the firingopening.

12. In a box having a therethrough and a tender having a floor, a cabdeck for said locomotive rearward of the transferring fuel from thetender to th locomotivecomprising a transfer conduit'extending in ageneral forward and-upward direction from a point below said'tenderfloor upwardly through the cab-deck, to a point on the. locomotiveabove such deck, said conduit comprising a sub-' stantially horizontalrearward portion disposed beneath the tender floor and at its for-'locomotive provided with a fireward end terminating at the front end ofthe tion extending upwardly and forwardly from the forwardend of saidrearward portioni and 000- motive beneath said dec and an inclinedforward portion throughout its length sloping upwardly and forwardlythrough said deck towards the rear wall of the firebox from theforwardend of the intermediate portion at a' greater angle from thehorizontal, said conduit portions communicating at their adjacent endsand the intermediate and rearward conduit portions being rigidly relatedwith respect to one another, a sectional screw in said transfer conduitcomprising a screw section in each of two or more conduit portions, saidscrew sections being universally connected at their adjacent ends,means'for, rotating said screw and means disposed at A the forward endof the fuel conveyor arranged to receive the fuel therefrom and I proect it over the firebed in the firebox; the fuel entering the fireboxthrough the firin openin o '13. 1%1 a locomotive provided with a fireboxhaving a backhead with a firing opening therethrough and a tender havinga floor, a

'ing a transfer conduit extending in a gencab deck for said locomotiverearward of the firebox, a fuel conveyor transferring. fuel from thetender to the locomotive compriseral forward and-upward direction from apoint below said tender floor upwardly through the cab deck, to a pointon the loco-' motive above such deck,'said conduit comprising asubstantially horizontal rearward portion disposed beneath the tenderfloor and at its forward end terminating at the front end of the tender,a slightly inclined intermediate portion extending upwardly andforwardly from the forward end of said rearward portion and at itsforward end terminating on the locomotive beneath said deck, and aninclined forward portion sloping upwardlyand forwardly through said deckto- Wards the rear wall of the firebox from the forward end of theintermediate portion at a greater angle from the horizontal, saidconduit portions being in end to end relation and the intermediate andrearward conduit por tions being rigidly related with respect to oneanother, 'a sectional screw in said transfer' conduit comprising a screwsection in each' of said conduit portions, said screw sections beingjointed at the juncture of the intermediate conduit portion with therear and foro ward conduit portions, means for rotating -sa1d screw andmeans disposed at the forward end of the fuel conveyor arranged toreceive the fuel therefrom an'd,project it over the firebed in thefirebox, the fuel entering the firebox through the firing openin vNATHAN M. Eownn.

